#<- also noel + jillian

[femmascthing]

might devote a whole oneshot to the concept of rachel gardner and jillian littner being friends. i think it'd be interesting tbh (ray's totally autistic self and her best friend jillian whos anxiety is extremely severe and they help each other). like. jillian helps ray try to lift her self-esteem, and ray tries to help jillian with panic attacks

[kanohivolitakk]

Ok but no joke: Burrows may be one of the most refreshing takes I seen on the "cunning mastermind villain" trope in a while.

The key issue with that archetype is that it tends to be deeply unrealistic. Usually the mastermind villains always act in control and fifty steps ahead and have backup plans upon backup plans to the point they feel like theyre intouchable. This makes them menacing yes, but when used extensively it can easily fall into a frace. Like nothing is taken seriously because of course the villain had some bullshit backup plan he used to tric everyone. The heroes wont survive this because of course villain has an ace up his sleeve.

And sure on surface that fits Burrows to a T. But like, the more you learn about him the more you learn how this is only part of it.

Yes, Burrows is this "keikaku doori" villain with everything under control who manipulates everything and everyone to play his tune. But thats just a facade. Burrows uses his connections and charisma to let everyone do what he wants because he is so. Burrows is able to do everything precisely because of the amount of connections and good rep he has to Lhaplaces public. He is able to pull the stunts and plans he does because he has all the major powers under his control, and because the public sees him as this trustworthy charismatic public figure that can be relied upon. Like the whole reason he was able to trick Noel, Jillian and anyone else was because they trusted him and didn't know who he was under his public persona.

Furthermore the reason Burrows is able to pull this stunt is because of the contract he made with Caron. Yes, Burrows did work for his position, Caron says so much. But without making that contract who knows if he would've been able to end in the position he ended in.

Which leads to my last point: Burrows mastermind plots stem from his fear of loosing everything because of his contract. Everything Burrows does boils down to him wanting to avoid having to pay the price of his contract. It is very childish and petty yes, but it's also realistic. The fact that he goes to these lengths for essentially trying to avoid punishment may be petty but its geniunely so refreshing compared to "elaborate lan to destroy the world because of divine right to rule or for the lulz" motivations these kinds of villains have. Fundamentally Burrows is a control freak who has to control everything and everyone because he fears of loosing control and thus loosing himself.

In other words Russel Burrows is a fucking coward. And that's why he's easily the most refreshing take of the cunning mastermind villain trope I seen in a while.

[archangelmacaron]

YES, I HAVE UPDATED! It's been almost a full year, which is wild. I had accidentally deleted the entire ending I had drafted out, which really put a damper on wanting to finish this. But I got over it, and we should be on track to complete this soon enough! HOWEVER, since it HAS been so long, I have created a summary so you don't have to re-read everything (unless you'd like to!) Spoilers under cut!

19 year old college student Noel Cerquetti is starting her first year at Lhaplus College of the Arts… again. 

The semester is coming to a close, and all first year music students are competing for not just the best grade in finals, but the position of pianist at the city’s yearly devil cleansing ceremony. Noel is certain she’s going to win when she realizes that her finals recording has been switched with another student. When she goes to complain to Dean Burrows, she’s instead told to withdraw from the music program entirely by Monday, or be expelled and blacklisted.

Noel decides to drink her woes away for the night. Unfortunately, Jillian has a date, so she heads back to the apartment they share with the volatile artist Spica alone. Spica warns Noel about her art project on the floor before going to her boyfriend’s for the night. Noel thinks nothing of the painted red runic circle as she sips vodka on the couch until, just before midnight, Spica’s stereo clicks on at max volume. Stumbling to get the remote to silence it, something falls off the end table and shatters—and Noel is no longer alone.

The Great Devil Caron has appeared, and is not too pleased at the first ever accidental summoning. He tells Noel he’ll let the insult slide if she’s also able to give him a reason to be there. Noel is too wary to make a demonic contract, but she explains the issue she’s having to him. When she stands up to fetch evidence of Spica’s set-up, she falls and lands directly on him—and he realizes that she doesn’t have legs.

Noel explains that she was hit by a drunk driver the previous year and ended up losing both legs. Caron immediately suspects that the accident is linked to what Noel is currently going through. He points out that Spica was almost certainly expecting that he would kill her, and thus Noel’s life is currently in danger once more. He offers to protect her and work with her to solve the mystery, but Jillian’s homecoming interrupts the discussion.

Noel wakes up the next day to Caron sitting in her bed, reading her diary. He smugly informs her that she agreed to a contract while black out drunk after having more wine with Jillian. Noel has the strange impression that he’s lying, but decides to take him at face value and work with him to find out who wants her dead, and why.

They hide in the attic in hopes of convincing Spica that she might have been successful after all. While there, they discover old yearbooks that show a pattern of dying students all in the first year piano class who had been predicted to be the next ceremonial pianist. Noel suspects that the ceremony itself is the key, and agrees to take Caron to the college library that night to search for more information.

They head over in the unusual, bitter cold at nightfall. Caron goes to break in the building when Noel is caught by her friend Fugo Dressel, who is helping his brother Oscar out by taking a security shift. Caron knocks him out and is prepared to leave him there, but Noel begs him not to, so he carries him into the library as well. 

The pair is searching for a key to the basement archives when Fugo wakes up and attacks, revealing that he’s a demon who has made a devil’s contract. He warns Noel that devils always lie and that she’s in danger—but provides a great deal of that danger himself by angrily hurling fire around the room. Oscar Dressel appears and brings an end to the fight, sending Noel and Caron to meet up with them at his house later as he prepares to hide the cause of the fires.

While waiting for the brothers to return, Noel and Caron talk. Noel realizes he was injured trying to put out the fires because she’d said she didn’t want to cause any destruction. She’s confused as to why he would do that for her, and he’s confused as to why she starts crying over it. Through this discussion, they begin to understand each other a bit better. Jillian’s phone call interrupts them, and Noel tells her where they are without thinking. Jillian declares that she’s heading over as Caron groans at more people getting involved. 

The Dressel brothers arrive on a short break in their now extended security shift. Noel explains what’s going on. Oscar tells her that the books they were looking for aren’t even in the library anymore, but had been taken to the performance hall. Fugo is less calm about the situation, and asks Noel if she actually remembers making a contract with Caron. She admits that she doesn’t, but before she can ask him what he means, he and Oscar need to return to work. 

While waiting for Jillian to arrive next, Caron admits that he is lying to Noel, but won’t explain what or why just yet. Despite this, he asks her to trust him. She says that she can’t just yet, but that she will choose to believe in him.

Jillian arrives, and Noel begins to explain what’s happening once more. Upon hearing that Noel is involved with a devil, Jillian begins to have a panic attack, which worsens when Caron appears. She faints after taking medication, and they carry her to the guest room upstairs. Noel is exhausted and knows Caron must be as well, but there’s only one guest room left. She suggests they share it, and he agrees.

While preparing for bed, Caron offers Noel his shirt to sleep in. At that moment, she realizes that she is extremely attracted to him, and that’s at least part of why she feels strangely around him. While in bed, without her prosthetic legs, she admits out loud that clearly, she does trust him. He thanks her, and after a sly comment, she realizes that he’s flirting with her. She confesses to flirting back, and the two laugh and begin to cuddle. As she falls asleep, Noel realizes she’s very happy to be with him, even though the relationship is moving so quickly.

Jillian awakens the next morning and learns that Fugo also wants to get Caron away from Noel. They decide to work together, and plan to go to the Performance Hall to find a book on devil exorcism. Jillian goes to speak to Noel and walks in on her wearing only Caron’s shirt. After an awkward conversation, Jillian leaves, and Noel heads back to bed for a little more sleep while Caron does research on her smartphone.

Jillian and Fugo head through an unusual morning fog to the Performance Hall, which is empty and in the midst of a power outage. Fugo takes a brief moment to confront Jillian about her devotion to Noel, telling her that she needs to live her own life. At first, Jillian is angry, but she starts to realize that he really cares about her as a friend and wants her to be happy. They easily find the devil tomes from the library, but Jillian realizes that she won’t be able to read any of them—they’re all written in infernal script. Fugo leaves her there to meet up with Oscar briefly and return the campus keys he’s stolen. Jillian is distracted by a strange blue and white book, but before she can touch it, Dean Burrows appears.

The Dean calmly explains to Jillian that Noel is lying to her, and that the story of an accidental summoning is nonsense. He tells her that Noel is in great danger from Caron, but that he considers it his duty as Dean to help save Noel. Jillian is convinced, and sends text messages to Noel asking her to take a certain path to the Performance Hall. Once done, Dean Burrows takes her phone and smugly admits that he’s lied about everything. He tells Jillian he needs her to perform a ceremony for him that night, and that he’s taking Noel as a hostage to be sure she behaves before he locks her in the room.

Jillian panics again, but this time faints from hyperventilating rather than her medication. She has a strange dream of resting on a large man’s lap as he strokes her hair and reassures her that her mistakes are not insurmountable. When she wakes up, the door has mysteriously opened and Fugo is there. She tells him of Burrow’s plan to attack Noel, and they hurry out to try and find her before it’s too late.

Noel and Caron are heading to the Performance Hall when Noel is grazed by a bullet and Caron is injured. They manage to mislead their attacker, and end up in the Performance Hall as a sudden thunderstorm hits. Without thinking, Noel kisses Caron. He heals Noel, but as payment, he bites her, leaving an affectionate mark. They hear piano playing upstairs, and head to the ballroom where they meet with Professor Becker.

Professor Becker explains to Noel that Caron was responsible for her accident. He had made a contract with the driver that made him unable to make his own choices, and Professor Becker had ordered him to hit Noel with his car. Noel denies Professor Becker’s reading of the situation and scolds her for using Caron’s devil’s morals to dodge her own responsibility in the man’s death. Professor Becker then explains her own contract with Caron that had removed her emotions, but Noel is still able to declare that she trusts Caron regardless of what he’s done in his past. The professor goes on to explain that the pair don’t even have a contract, and that Caron has been using her to find the tomes with his summoning circle inside. He confesses that it’s true, but denies her allegations that he is planning on destroying and discarding Noel. Noel once again makes the choice to trust him.

Spica appears with a mind controlled Ribelio and an electric weapon that is able to knock Caron out. They take Noel’s phone, and Professor Becker leaves, telling Spica to do whatever she wants with them as long as Noel stays alive. Spica tortures them for a while, and admits to Noel that she’s jealous of her because she doesn’t understand who she is or where she came from. She continues to shock Caron, and orders Ribelio to tear out Noel’s eye. At her second order, to pull off an arm, Ribelio is able to break the mind control briefly, and while Spica is dealing with him, Caron moves to cover Noel with his own body. He apologizes for not being able to get them out of the situation, and she tells him that she loves him. He says he doesn’t understand why, everything is moving so quickly, but she is everything to him.

Jillian and Fugo arrive back at the Performance Hall due to another sudden, intense storm. They’re able to charge Fugo’s phone at a battery stand. He has received a message from Noel’s phone. They’re both immediately suspicious, and when they hear a loud crash, Fugo heads to investigate while telling Jillian to call Oscar as soon as the phone has enough battery.

Fugo arrives in the ballroom and is quickly attacked by Ribelio and Spica. His opinion on Caron flips completely as he realizes he’s using his own badly hurt body to protect Noel. Jillian appears and is able to hit Spica with Fugo’s phone. Oscar appears, knocking Ribelio out, and orders Jillian, Noel and Caron escape.

The trio head to the local hotel, which is in the off-season, and set up in an empty room on the top floor. Jillian and Caron argue over him needing a price to heal Noel, and she suggests he take it from her, instead. Caron refuses, stating that Jillian belongs to someone else, and asks her if she’s aware of who stands behind her. Unsure what he means, Jillian leaves to get supplies.

Caron heals Noel, but is unable to save her eye. He tells her that she can pay in installments, and hints that he’d like her to kiss him again. She scolds him that it’s unfair as she wanted to do that anyway. They’re able to discuss Caron’s reasons for searching for the tomes to find a new kind of person to summon him instead of the same boring requests. He admits what actually happened their first night together, and how her first offhand comment of “I need help” and wariness to make an actual contract, followed by a later drunken ‘thank you,’ showed that she wasn’t like his usual contractors—exactly what he was looking for. They bond for a bit before taking a romantic bath together.

Meanwhile, Oscar and Fugo interview a now-conscious Ribelio. He explains how he came to be under Spica’s mind control, and that the woman isn’t a devil, but isn’t quite human, either, having strange powers and growing up to an adult in a terrifyingly short amount of time. He informs them that Spica and Burrows have some kind of relationship, and that he’s the reason they’re now both college students, but that he has no idea what they have planned.

Jillian is engaged in some serious self loathing during her supply run in the cold rain, finally admitting to herself that Caron really does love Noel, and that her feelings towards her will never be requited. She’s drowning in misery when the mysterious stranger from her dream appears again, gently chiding her to warm up. She obediently gets coffee and hands him some as well, which he drinks, revealing that he truly is there and is not a dream. He begins to escort her back to the hotel as she asks him questions, and unexpectedly says his name; revealing him as the Eternal Devil Caesar, who says he is there to save her life as Head Security Officer Jino and others approach.

At the hotel, Noel has a vivid nightmare that she has committed a devil summoning, and her limbs are ripped off. She realizes that in her dream, Caron was the one to do it, and decides not to tell him the details as he comforts her. The Dressel brothers have arrived. Oscar discusses the strange weather and points out that his radio is no longer working, but Fugo interrupts, pointing out that Jillian has now been gone for three hours. At that moment, there’s a knock, and they open the door to reveal Jillian and Caesar.

Jillian helps Noel get dressed as she quickly explains how she ran into Caesar, and how, despite him being a devil who knows far more than he should, she’s completely unafraid of him. They join everyone in the main room and begin to discuss what has happened so far.

Caesar explains what he knows of Dean Burrow’s plans. He tells them that Jillian and Noel are being targeted specifically because of an innate talent they have that gives their piano playing the power to summon or cleanse devils. He offers Noel sheet music that can expel all devils in Lhaplus, which she adamantly refuses, and says that she won’t lose Caron again. Everyone is confused by her phrasing, but when she tries to deny it as having simply misspoke, Caesar explains that it is not the case, and that Noel is beginning to remember things that she should not.

He tells them that this is not their first meeting, and that, in another world, Noel had summoned Caron when tricked into a contract, and that Caron had removed her limbs as payment. Noel begins to flash back to her nightmare, and starts to have a panic attack as she loses feeling in her hands. Caesar is able to stop her panic attack as he had for Jillian and continues to explain their first meeting. Noel had been seeking vengeance on Burrows in that world, and to stop her, Jillian had summoned Caesar. He explains how curious he had found Jillian’s choice to give up her five senses to save Noel, and how strong Noel and Caron, who had been the one to mutilate her, had become together. He tells them he had abandoned his contract with Jillian because of that, and should have been destroyed for it.

Instead, Caesar found himself wandering from world to world, always observing Jillian. In one world, Jillian called out his name as she was dying, despite having no reason to know of him in it. He is unexpectedly moved by her death, and decides to begin interfering in the next worlds to prevent it. He explains that he is not all powerful, and that in using too much power at times, he’s almost been destroyed. He warns Noel, who casually wonders aloud what a peaceful life with Caron would look like, to stop, because she is in danger of causing her mind to overload with memories that aren’t truly hers. Fugo interrupts, and that’s where chapter 36 begins!

[satoshi-mochida]

Publisher Playism and developer Kawano will release adventure game Noel The Mortal Fate for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch, the companies announced (2). A release window was not announced.

Noel The Mortal Fate is currently available for PC via Steam in both English and Japanese. Seasons #01 to #07 launched in a single package in May 2018, and Season #08 followed in October 2018. Seasons #09, #10, and #11 have yet to be translated or released via Steam.

Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

About

This is a story about the revenge of a girl who lost her arms and legs to a devil…

Noel The Mortal Fate is a charismatic adventure game developed by Kanawo with RPG Maker. After its success in Japan, as well as gaining a manga adaption, Noel The Mortal Fate is now available worldwide on Steam in English, Japanese and Simplified Chinese with seasons one to seven available now in one package.

Story

Noel Cerquetti, a girl who lost her arms and legs in a contract, works together with the great devil Caron, to get her revenge against one man.

This man – dubbed the “pride of the citizens” – is Burrows, the mayor of LaPlace.

Why is this girl furiously seeking revenge against this unrivalled man, loved by the people for bringing peace to LaPlace that was once overrun by the mafia?

While unsteady without her limbs, Noel doesn’t give up on her path of revenge, as Caron watches mercilessly, at times risking his own life to support her.

With vengeance, the pair begins their chase after Burrows.

Season #01

Performing at the memorial ceremony… The highest honor, goal, and dream for every young musician living in LaPlace.

While everyone waits for the announcements nervously, only Noel looks confident. She was certain.

“I will win the piano competition this year.”

However, that confidence would soon turn to despair. The winner was her best friend, Jillian.

Burrows, the mayor of LaPlace, proposes a “deal” to a desperate Noel. Believing his words, Noel heads to the meeting, without knowing a devil was waiting…

Season #02

After losing both her arms and legs, Noel vows revenge against Mayor Burrows. To find evidence of corruption, she attempts to sneak into the shipping company, Aquarius.

But the Mayor’s secretary, Cybilla, anticipates this, setting a trap for Noel and her devilish partner, Caron. Caught in an underground labyrinth, the two encounter numerous challenges. Can they overcome the dangers and safely escape?

But amidst their escape, Noel seems to be acting strange…

Season #03

Barely escaping, Noel and Caron swim to a hideout – a place Caron knows well. In this “hideout,” there are many traces of Caron and a certain someone living here.

After being confronted by Noel with evidence, Caron begins to speak of his past with “that person” he once made a contract with. And the shocking truth was revealed…

Season #04

Now marked as terrorists, a police officer, claiming to be “the Demon of Justice”, appears before Noel and Caron. To avenge a personal grudge, a young man called Oscar D, begins to attack Noel and Caron with a mysterious ability.

In addition to the movements of the police, Jillian takes action to save Noel. The girl and devil’s revenge move to a whole new level with the entanglement of various characters’ intentions.

Season #05

After a desperate battle with Oscar D, Caron is taken away from Noel. Left alone in a hopeless situation, Noel finds hope in one man…

The Bomber who once confronted Noel and Caron—the Demon of Explosions—“Fugo Dressel.”

Noel breaks into the facility imprisoning Bomber by herself. But will Noel be able to take back Caron?

Season #06

With the help of the former enemy, Bomber, Noel rescues Caron. This was also the moment when Caron and Noel finally gain a fellow “member.”

And now, Noel’s next goal is to take down Burrow’s funding source, the Casino “Misty.”

Disguised in uniforms, Noel and the others sneak in. Take down the Casino swirling in conspiracy by using “cheats!”

Season #07

Burrows loses his important source of funds as Casino “Misty” goes up in flames. With a weakening police force, Noel and the others decide this is the time for the biggest attack.

The day chosen for the final battle, is the one that changed Noel’s fate…

…the memorial ceremony.

Waiting at the long desired concert hall is Noel’s best friend, Jillian.

While reminiscing the past, the two girls confirm their resolve to finally confront each other…

Season #08

Two months after the fateful battle of life and death against Burrows, winter has come to LaPlace.

The counter-terrorism group OCT (Order to Control Terrorism) has been deployed to LaPlace by government order.

Far away from civilization, deep in the mountains, Noel and Canon quietly rest their weary bodies. Before them, with the Great Devil Spica in tow, appears Ribelio—an OCT Captain. However, it appears as though Ribelio has gone rogue, acting without the knowledge of the other OCT groups…

Watch the secrets of LaPlace unravel as this all-new series starts!

Visit the official Japanese website here.

[rapha-reads]

4, 10, 16, 22, 29 and 56 =)

Hiiiiiii !! :) Thanks for dropping by !

4 : What is your favorite word ?

Phantasmagorical. Or in French, éphémère (meaning ephemeral).

10 : What were you doing at midnight last night ?

I was watching The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2017 in my room. I loooooove TBFQ, it’s so funny ! Plus, Noel Fielding and Richard Ayoade are the best.

16 : The last song you listened to ?

Within Temptation, Jillian. I just … LOVE this song.

I’ve been living for so long, Many seasons passed me by.I’ve seen kingdoms through agesRise and fall, I’ve seen it all.Seen the horror, seen the wondersHappening just in front of my eyes.Will I ever, will I never free myself by making it right?Give my heart, give my soulI’d turn it back, it’s my fault.Your destiny is forlorn,Have to live till it’s undone.I’d give my heart, give my soulI’d turn it back and then at last I’ll be on my way 

22 : Do you have a secret talent ? If yes, what is it ?

According to my mother and my sister, my secret talent is baking. I like to bake cake and other goods. And I’m not afraid to try new things ! Yesterday I did an apple and quince crumble for the first time, it’s delicious ! My speciality though is chocolate brownie.

29 : What is your favorite expletive ?

The clssic “fuck”. Or, more original, “Bloody Fucking Hell”. I rarely swear in French, but it would be the also classic “Putain” (works for everything !). And when I’m feeling particularly sassy and sarcastic (and also boooooored, so it’s totally ironic), I drawl out “Passionnant”, which means “fascinating”. Not an expletive per se, but it conveys my boredom, so.

56 : What do you like on your toast ?

(First, let’s all agree that nobody knows what bread is except the French - and sometimes the Moroccans).Chocolate, but chocolate is the ultimate food. Otherwise, I like redcurrant jam (or jelly ?) or any other kind of red fruit jam (except strawberries - strawberries are only good as fruits), or orange jam, or plum.Something that we do in Morocco (and other Maghreb countries) is dip the bread in a plate filled with oil (either olive or argan) and honey. 

Ask me unusual questions

[themomsandthecity]

Every Baby Name We Could Possibly Think Of

Naming your baby is a big decision, and with endless options, it can also be a difficult one. Whether you're going the traditional route or want something more unique (if so, read this first!) it's helpful to have a little, or a lot, of inspiration. Ahead, you'll find nearly every baby name we could think of (close to 1,000!). These aren't just random names we found in a book or concocted ourselves - they're almost all monikers we've heard being used, or we actually know someone who goes by the name. If we missed any, tell us in the comments! A Aaliyah Aaron Abbie Abel Abigail Abraham Adalyn Adam Addilyn Addison Adelaide Adeline Adley Adora Agatha Aiden Alan Albert Aleph Alexander Alexis Ali Alma Alton Ama Amanda Amaryllis Amber Ameila Amélie Amy Anders Anderson Andrea Andrew Angie Angela Angelica Anika Anna Annalise Anne Annie Ansel Apple April Arata Archie Aria Ariane Ariel Arlee Arlo Arman Arthur Arun Arwen Arya Asha Asher Aspen Atticus Aton Aubrey Audrey August Augustus Aurora Ava Avery Axel Aziz B Bailey Barack Barbara Barney Barry Beatrice Beau Beckett Beckham Becky Ben Benedict Benjamin Bennett Bentley Bernadette Beth Bette Betty Beverly Bexley Bianca Bill Billie Bingham Bishop Bitsie Blake Blue Bobby Bodhi Bonnie Bowie Brady Braelynn Brandon Brayden Brecken Bree Brent Brenton Brett Brian Briana Briar Bridgette Brienne Brig Brigham Brinley Brio Britta Brock Brody Bronwyn Brooklyn Bruno Bryan Byron C Caden Caitlin Caity Cale Caleb Calla Calvin Camari Cameron Camilla Carena Carina Carl Carmel Carol Carrey Carter Cary Casey Caspian Cat Catherine Celine Chandler Chanel Channing Charise Charlene Charles Charlotte Chase Cher Cheri Cheriann Cheryl Chevy Chip Chloe Chris Chrissy Christian Christopher Claire Clara Clark Clary Claudia Clementine Clifford Clint Clinton Clyde Colin Collins Condoleezza Connor Conrad Constance Coolidge Cooper Cora Corban Courtney Cruz Related: 100 of the Most Beautiful Baby Names D Daisy Dale Dallas Damon Dane Danica Daniel Danielle Daphne Darby Darlene Darrel Daryl Dashiell Dave David Davina Davis Davon Dawn Dean Deanna Declan Dekel Delaney Delilah Delta Dennis Denzel Desmond Dev Devon Dexter Diane Dinah Dixie Dixon Dolores Dominique Donald Doris Dorothea Dorothy Dot Duke Duncan Dwight Dylan E Easton Ed Eden Edith Edmund Edward Effie Eleanor Elena Eli Eliana Elijah Elise Elizabeth Ella Elle Ellen Ellerie Ellie Elliott Ellis Elodie Eloise Elora Elroy Elsa Elsie Embry Emerson Emily Emma Emmett Eric Erica Esme Esmeralda Esther Ethan Ethel Eugene Evan Eve Evelyn Everett Evie Ewan Ezra F Farah Fay Felix Ferris Finn Fiona Fisher Fitz Fleur Flint Florence Floyd Flynn Ford Forrest Foster Fox Frances Frank Franklin Frederick G Gabe Gabriel Gaige Gail Gant Garrett Garth Gavin Gem Gemma Gene Genesis Gertrude George Gianna Gibson Gigi Gina Ginger Gladys Glenn Gloria Gordon Grace Grady Graham Grant Grayson Greer Gregory Griffin Grover Gus Gwen Gwyneth H Hadlee Hailey Hal Halle Hank Hannah Harding Harlow Harlyn Harold Harper Harriet Harrison Harry Hart Hartley Harvey Haven Hawk Hawthorne Hayden Hayes Hays Hazel Hector Heath Heather Helen Henley Henry Hillary Honor Holden Holly Holt Hope Hubert Hudson Hugo Humphrey Hunter Hurley Hutton Related: Based Off Last Year's Trends, These 30 Names Will Be Among the Most Popular of 2017 I Ian Ida Idris Ike Imanuel Imogen India Indy Ingrid Inizio Ireland Iris Irvin Isa Isaac Isabella Isabelle Isaiah Isla Israel Ivana Ivory J Jack Jackie Jackson Jacob Jacqueline Jaden Jaelyn Jagger Jake James Jameson Jamie Jane January Jason Jasper Jaun Jax Jaxon Jayce Jayden Jeannette Jed Jeff Jefferson Jenna Jess Jessica Jessie Jill Jillian Joan Joanna Joaquin Joe John Jones Jordan Joseph Josephine Josh Joshua Joslyn Joss Joy Joyce Judith Judy Jules Julia Julian Julie Juliet Julius June Juno Justin K Kai Kaia Kale Kalinda Kane Karah Katharine Kathryn Kate Kay Kaya Kaylee Keanu Keegan Keira Keith Kellan Kelly Kelsey Kendall Kennedy Kevin Khloe Kiah Kiele Kiera Kim Kima Kimberly Kingston Kinsley Kirk Kit Kitty Knox Krista Kristen Kurtis Kyle Kylie L Laith Lake Lana Landon Lane Larissa Larkin Laszlo Laura Lauren Lawrence Layla Leah Lee Leia Leighton Leilani Lena Lennon Leo Leonard Leslie Levi Lewis Leyona Lia Liam Liana Lida Lilith Lillian Lily Lincoln Lindsay Lionel Lisa Lisette Liz Logan Lois Lola London Loretta Lorraine Louella Louise Lucas Lucian Lucille Lucy Luke Luna Lux Lyle Lyndon Lynne Related: 100 Unusual Boy Names M Mabel Mabrey Mac Macallan Mackenzie Macy Madeleine Madelyn Madison Mae Maeby Maggie Mahershala Maia Makena Malcolm Maleeya Malia Mamie Mandy Marabelle Marcus Maren Margaret Margot Mari Maria Mariah Mariam Marilyn Marin Marion Marisole Marisse Marjorie Mark Marlene Marlon Marlowe Martha Martin Mary Mason Matilda Matthew Maui Mavis Maximus Maxson May Maya McKinley Megan Melissa Meredith Merritt Meryl Meyer Mia Michael Michelle Mika Mike Mila Mildred Miles Millie Milo Moana Molly Monica Monroe Montgomery Morgan Moses Muhammad Murray Myles N Nahall Nahla Nancy Nanette Naomie Nasima Natalie Nate Nathan Naveen Naya Neil Neisa Neo Neoma Newt Newton Niall Nicholas Nick Nico Nicole Nicolette Nigel Nile Nimah Nixon Noah Noel Nolan Nora Norma Norman North Nova O Obama Octavia Olly Olive Oliver Olivia Omar Opal Ophelia Ordell Oriana Orion Orlando Orson Orville Oscar Otis Otto Owen P Paige Paislee Paloma Pandora Paris Parker Patrick Patsy Paul Payton Pearl Peggy Penelope Penn Penny Perry Pete Peyton Phillip Phoebe Phoenix Phyllis Pierce Piper Polly Poppy Porter Posey Preston Primrose Priya Prudence Priscilla Q Quaid Quincy Quentin Quinn Quinten R Rachel Radley Rae Ralph Ramsey Rayna Rayne Reagan Rebecca Reese Reeve Reid Reign Remi Renly Rex Rhea Rhett Rhys Richard Rick Riley Ripley River Rivers Rob Robert Robin Rome Romy Ronald Ronin Rooney Roosevelt Rory Rosalind Rosalynn Rosamund Rose Rosemary Ross Rowan Roy Royce Ruby Rue Ruth Rutherford Ryan Ryder Related: 100 Unique Yet Beautiful Girls' Names S Sacha Sage Sahara Saint Sam Samuel Sandra Sandy Sansa Sarah Saul Savannah Sawyer Scarlett Schuyler Scout Sean Sebastian Selena Sena Seymour Shane Shannon Shea Shelly Sherlock Sherry Shiloh Shirley Sia Sidney Sienna Simon Skyler Sloan Sofia Solo Sonia Sophia Sophie Spencer Stacy Stanley Stella Stephanie Sterling Stetson Stuart Sue Sullivan Summer Suri Susan Sylvia T Tabitha Tad Tamera Tamsyn Tanner Tara Tate Taylor Teagan Teddy Terrance Thea Thelma Theordore Theresa Thomas Tim Tina Tinley Toby Todd Tom Tony Travis Travon Trent Trey Tricia Trinity Tripp Tristan Troy Truman Turner Tyler Tyson V Valentina Valentine Vance Vaughan Vaughn Vera Vern Victor Victoria Viggo Vince Vincent Viola Violet Virgil Vivian W Waldo Walker Wallis Walter Warren Watson Waverly Wells Wes Wesley Westley Whitney Will Willa William Willow Wilson Winter Wolfe Wren Wyatt X Xander Xavier Xeno Y Yanet Yani Yigal York Yuma Yvette Z Zachary Zahir Zander Zane Zaylee Zayn Zion Zoe Zola Zooey Zora Zuma Zuri Related: These Are the Most Popular Baby Names of 2016 http://bit.ly/2kR9iwY

[thewildertype]

I'm avoiding doing work, so... here's all 30: 1. Dollhouse 2. Sweet/Vicious, You're the Worst and/or Underground 3. Sweet/Vicious or Pitch (but prob S/V let's be real)... currently Big Little Lies is making a play, but it's only two episodes in. 4. Y I K E S - Orphan Black, Shameless (hi, my dad is literally Frank Gallagher -- it's even worse than the show makes it), Boston Legal, or The West Wing 5. Ummm my petty ass wants to say the loo, but I loved it at one point. I don't hate watch things anymore. I don't watch anything with Katherine Heigl in it, tho. OH. ACTUALLY. THE MAGICIANS. I HATE 99.9% OF THAT SHOW BUT MY LOVE FOR JULIA MAKES ME WATCH IT. 6. I'm weird, in that I don't have favorite episodes. So, I don't know that I can pick a favorite Orphan Black ep. They're the ones that don't have Helena or a ton of Cophine in them, by and large, though (Sorry.). Maybe the one where Paul dies (because I love Paul and it was a Sarah-centric ep)? Maybe 4x1 because I love Beth? Maybe Sarah's downward spiral because it was my perfect version of Sarah. Maybe 4x10 because I have hope they're finally going to round up clones and torture them for the greater good like I've been hoping for since "they patented us". For The West Wing it's "Noel". 7. Literally most of the third season of Orphan Black -- I tend to write more when I don't like something, hence the massive amount of fic output during that time. I hated Castor. H A T E D. But I liked the increased role for Mrs. S and what, to me, felt like realistic distance between Sarah and Helena. Oh and Krystal. 8. You're the Worst may be the smartest comedy on television. 9. Um. Probably the one in the 2nd season finale where Sarah is strapped to a gurney and you think she's in actual danger and I just. That whole episode was so good. Oh, and the one with Paul at the end of season one in the elevator. Yeah, ok, I hate most male characters. But I will fight to the death for Paul White Toast Dierden. 10. Gosh. Um -- I tried Supergirl when it premiered and HATED it. Then I tried it again after we elected Voldemort. I now enjoy it, even though Mon El is literally THE WORST. Also: Big Little Lies has multiple actors I don't jive with and I love all of them in that show, so. 11. Y'all. I ship Clexa. The answer is obvious. 12. Every single episode from seasons 1-3 of Orphan Black. Every. One. 13. How tf are we defining childhood? As an actual child? Sailor Moon. As a teenager? Roswell. I have questionable taste but It's my destiny to revive that mess. 14. Paul Dierden. Jimmy Shive-Overly. Lip Gallagher. Josh Lyman. Michael Guerin. 15. Sarah Fucking Manning. Tess Harding. Fiona Gallagher. Lindsay Jillian. CJ Cregg. Murphy Brown. Julia Wicker. Beth Childs. Lexa. Anya. Jules Thomas. Ophelia Mayer. Blair Waldorf. 16. Honestly? I rewatch the entire catalogue of Rock of Love and Charm School. I also rewatch The Hills. 17. People v. OJ 18. Roswell had banging credits. 19. Orphan Black 20. Clexa and Eve/Annalise. Mostly bc I called both of them SO EARLY and then it was like yeah bitch. Yeah I fuckin told you. 21. Paul/Sarah I will fight you. Ok not really. Probably Clarke/Lexa. On the unconventional side of the house I literally am the only one stanning Michael/Tess and I will do it until the day I die. 22. And this is where I show you my sorority girl nonsense - Sex and the City. 23. Mon El. Just. NO. 24. "You're the wild type Sarah, you propagate against all odds. You're restless. You survive." Or literally anything from You're the Worst... if I had to pick from that show: "you knew it was a snake when you picked it up." I know that it's a proverb, but that bit of intelligence from Lindsay was just... perfect. 25. One Day at a Time. Oh and finishing When We Rise (but it's been a disappointment so far...) 26. Rachel talking about rounding up the clones at the end of season 4. Like I just I mean. I'm horrible but like-- that really spoke to me. 27. I thought the start of This is Us was incredibly well done. 28. The asshole 13 year old I was in Sailor Moon fandom makes me glad that the internet was the wild Wild West back then and receipts weren't a thing. You guys think it's messy now?!?! Oh, no. The old days were messier. I was also in Roswell fandom and like that means nothing now but hooooooollllllyy shit dudes. 29. Probably the latest thing I'm screaming about is Sweet/Vicious but I've been screaming about that since it premiered. Underground is back soon so I'll be screaming about that soon. 30. Lexa

[tellusepisode]

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)

Crime, Drama |

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans is a American crime drama film directed by Werner Herzog and starring Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Tom Bower, Jennifer Coolidge, Alvin ‘Xzibit’ Joiner, Val Kilmer, and Brad Dourif.

Though the film’s title and story loosely resembles that of Abel Ferrara’s 1992 film Bad Lieutenant, according to Herzog, it is neither a sequel nor a remake; its only commonality is a corrupt policeman as the central character. Nonetheless, the director of the original Bad Lieutenant film, Abel Ferrara, expressed dismay that the Herzog film was being made. Both Bad Lieutenant films were produced by Edward R. Pressman.

In August 2005, Terence McDonagh is a New Orleans police sergeant. While cleaning out a locker after Hurricane Katrina, he notices that a prisoner may not have been transferred. When he finds the prisoner about to drown, he mocks him before eventually jumping in the water to save him. He is promoted to police lieutenant and given a medal for his work, but has suffered a serious back injury because of the rescue. As a result, he is prescribed Vicodin to manage the pain.

Six months later, McDonagh is now not only addicted to painkillers, but is habitually using several other drugs including cocaine and cannabis. He has convinced a person that works in the police department to bring him drugs sent to the evidence room. His girlfriend Frankie Donnenfeld, a prostitute, also does cocaine and they often share drugs. He has become estranged from his father Pat, a recovering alcoholic, and his alcoholic stepmother, Genevieve. Over the course of the film, he uses his position as an officer to bully people and steal more drugs.

Director: Werner Herzog

Writer: William M. Finkelstein (screenplay)

Stars: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Russell M. Haeuser, Jennifer Coolidge, Val Kilmer, Xzibit, Fairuza Balk

►Cast:

Nicolas Cage…Terence McDonaghEva Mendes…Frankie DonnenfieldVal Kilmer…Stevie PruitXzibit…Big Fate (as Alvin ‘Xzibit’ Joiner)Fairuza Balk…HeidiShawn Hatosy…Armand BenoitJennifer Coolidge…GenevieveTom Bower…Pat McDonaghVondie Curtis-Hall…Captain James BrasserBrad Dourif…Ned SchoenholtzDenzel Whitaker…DarylIrma P. Hall…Binnie RogersShea Whigham…JustinMichael Shannon…MundtJoe Nemmers…Larry MoyJ.D. Evermore…Rick Fitzsimon (as JD Evermore)Tim Bellow…G (Gary Jenkins)Lucius Baston…MidgetLauren Swinney…AntoinetteNick Gomez…Evaristo ChavezWilliam M. Finkelstein…Dave Jacobs (as William Finklestein)Sam Medina…AndyLance E. Nichols…Jeremiah GoodhusbandTony Bentley…HurleyJeremy Aaron Johnson…YascoBernard Johnson…Dub (as Bernard Bunchy Johnson)Matt Borel…BernieGary Grubbs…Chief of PoliceJ. Omar Castro…First Narcotics DetectiveKerry Cahill…Second Narcotics DetectiveNoel Arthur…Renaldo HayesDouglas M. Griffin…SergeantLauren Pennington…WomanDane Rhodes…BettorJedda Jones…Civilian AideDon Yesso…ClientTrey Burvant…DealerRobert Pavlovich…Dr. MilburnMarco St. John…Eugene GratzDavid Joseph Martinez…Juan MichelDanielle Elaine Mcallister…KimKyle Clements…LawrenceDeena Beasley…Maimouna (as Dorinda Deena Beasley)Deneen Tyler…Pharmacist (as Deneen D. Tyler)Roger J. Timber…Security Guard (as Roger Timber)Joshua Joseph Gillum…Host (as Joshua Gillum)Sean Boyd…Lt. StoyerKatie Chonacas…TinaBrandi Gerard…Yvonne (as Brandi Coleman)Michael Zimbrich…WaiterTrenton Perez…BoyStephanie Honoré…GirlKatrell Dixon…Witness #1Stephen C. Lewis…Witness #2 (as Stephen Lewis)Armando Leduc…Jeff (as Armando L. Leduc)Jillian Batherson…Assistant to D.A.Joel Davis…First Announcer (voice)John Wilmot…Second Announcer (voice)Wilfred Alexander…Store Employee #1April Gordon…Store Employee #2Chris Angerdina…Police OfficerMichael Arnona…Police CaptainDewayne Bateman…CSI / ForensicJoseph Cintron…Police OfficerThomas C. Daniel…A ‘John’Sean Shyboy Davis…Cop #1Antonio Echeverria…Street GuyGeraldine Glenn…Family MemberRussell M. Haeuser…A ‘John’Victor Eli Hugo…Police OfficerTopher Jones…Undercover DetectiveTed Jordan…DetectiveRose Lamarche…Accident VictimRaymond Lapino…Patient in WheelcarTony Lawson…Bus PatronCynthia LeBlanc…Banquet GuestElton LeBlanc…Banquet GuestJessica Luebe…Club PatronBrandy Moon…Duffy’s WifeLorin Moore…Promotion ReporterJay Oliver…Casino GamblerKim Ormiston…Enticing ProstituteMisty Ormiston…Enticing ProstituteLyssa Prine…NurseAlex Revan…IversC. Stuart Rome…CSI AgentJaime San Andres…Officer LasseigneScott Schlueter…Undercover DetectiveChaz Smith…Street GuyLogan Douglas Smith…DetectiveTerry Lee Smith…Fallen Police OfficerAntoine Spillers…Bus PassengerCorey Stewart…Bar PatronSarah J. Thompson…Award Ceremony FamilyElizabeth Tranchant…Lieutenant’s WifeRiki Verdin…Masked ParaderDaniel Vincent…Police Ceremony AttendentMichael Wozniak…Undercover Officer

Sources: imdb & wikipedia

The post Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009) first appeared on TellUsEpisode.net.

from WordPress https://www.tellusepisode.net/bad-lieutenant-port-of-call-new-orleans-2009.html

[letschatpodcast]

Jillian Winters and Jodie Noel Vinson of What Cheer Writers Club

Jillian Winters (General Manager) and Jodie Noel Vinson (Program Manger) run What Cheer Writes Club a nonprofit in downtown Providence supporting Rhode Island's makers of the written, spoken and illustrated word. Founded in 2018, the Club serves as a central, umbrella organization supporting and providing space to many of our state's writing-related nonprofits, as well providing coworking, networking and career support to individual writers. Plus, dozens of local podcasters flourish in our audio studio. Lastly, we also support the reading and podcast fan public with Pressing Matters, a free email and social feed on the 1,000+ literary events happening in RI every year.

New episode is out!

[femmascthing]

the fact that the end of ntmf is nearing has me worried a major character is going to be gravely injured or even die ... i feel like its common in similar games ( im staring at angels of death with this . ) and it makes some sense to me ... mostly with noel herself , but maybe oscar or fugo too i also know this part is likely inevitable but i do nooot want noel and caron to be seperated . like they ' ve been through too much together , if they never get to see each other again im gonna be so sad ( first part of final ( ? ) spoiler below )

jillian appearing again makes me think that she might be the victim of that trope ( ? ) but also she . seems to have caesar ' s power so probably not . live love jillian

[archangelmacaron]

💞🤩👀

💕 I actually really dislike the phrase "comfort character" for reasons, but if it means a character that feels comfortable to write/makes me happy, I think Noel fits!

🤩 answered in previous!

👀 a WIP

I'm trying (but struggling!) with a post-game New Year's fic. I guess I always feel shy sharing (I write a LOT that I don't share) straight up shippy stuff and prefer ambiguous/plausible deniability/ definitely canon-compliant spoiler they died holding each other can you get more canon though /half joking End spoiler Although that seems to be extremely popular on ao3, so, maybe I should try and get over the lit trauma of being harassed/seeing harassment over an unpopular ship in previous fandom IYKYK at least one follower definitely does it.

I'm also writing an alternative "what if Jillian took Noel away instead of Caron" story that's pretty dark, but I'm waiting on the manga to finish up that arc for further inspiration. (Funny story, I was like I can't ship this! people will harass me bc there's (probably) an age gap! NO don't ship it! don't do it noooo!!! all up until That Scene and then was like FUCK. I SHIP IT and here we freakin' are I am cringe but I am free writing under a psuedonym.)

Thank you for the ask!!!

[enchantingnightmaredoughnut-blog]

SuperMutant Magic Academy Graphic Novel

SuperMutant Magic Academy is about students and their daily lives at SuperMutant Magic Academy; a prep-school for mutants and witches. Join he students as you read about their daily struggles as mutants and witches while also dealing with everyday teen concerns. This graphic novel was created by New York Times and New Yorker illustrator Jillian Tamaki. 

(Jillian Tamaki, 2015) 

My Project

I will be using this graphic novel to help with my own graphic novel, since there is so many similarities between our novels and this artist is very inspiring since they are such an amazing artist and writer.

The art in this graphic novel is simple, yet detailed and intrigue since it is still able to catch your eye while even not having colour. This did make me consider not having colour in my graphic novel but i decided against it since my art is much more simple and less detailed than this art and the visual theme in my novel is Halloween and magic so colour would make it easier to express this theme, therefore i will have colour. However i could have little half stories in between the stories like how this graphic novel is mostly just short story panels, so with them i could have a different style so separate them from the main story and they could possibly have no colour and similar art to this graphic noel; these short stories will also help express more of the characters, their personality and their interactions with other in their daily lives.

There are many characters in this graphic novel and they are all well written, they have individual designs and personality. The author manages to make you care about the characters, help you learn more about them and laugh along with them. This is what I want to be able to do with the characters in my graphic novel, however i have limited time to create this graphic novel so my story wont have as many characters as this graphic novel, but by creating a few but developed characters will allow them to be more interesting and makes you remember and care about these characters.

This graphic novel is about a lot of different mutants and witches, which is similar to my graphic novel which is about witches and monsters, and even though i only have a few main and side characters, i could do something similar to this graphic novel which is have background characters. This idea would help create a more real and interesting world, helps the reader feel more involved and interested in the world these characters live in, instead of it being empty and bland.

[archangelmacaron]

Finale part 1 was, (screaming)

Spoilers under cut!

-It ends ABRUPTLY. none of the dramatic end screen stuff just TO BE CONTINUED. Title screen.

-I'm not positive where the branching paths are, if it's in this episode or the next? but I assume it's either: -if you tell Oscar to be aggressive and Fugo to use his demon powers, because both things can be read as showing a lack of care for them. For all the game's trying to drill into you that her revenge is selfish and personal, and helping others is "just a bonus" it's still pretty clear that caring about others is also important.

-Or the battle with Luce Marie, if you choose to fight her or wait, or fight her AND Jino. I'm sure I'll be able to look it up at some point or I could... Play again...

-kind of want to slap a certain ginger "revenge is still bad" please tell me he was lying to fool Dratton

-Jino's character development blew me away. He's still a selfish asshole but such a solid character!!!

-Jillian's return also semi confirmed a theory that she was/would be in Caesar's space without her senses. She was there long enough to memorize every one of his contractors!!! I kind of wish Caesar could return too but I guess that would really lessen his death's impact. Still, seeing her talk out loud to his memory was 🥺 She really did care for him, it seems, and I wish we had a window into why, what their relationship was really like!

-The way Jillian turns from Noel with tears—I think she was saying goodbye. Instead of standing in her way, trying to get Noel to stay with her, she's recognizing that their paths diverge, and is supporting what Noel wants, not what she wants for Noel 🥺 (Also Noel's "thanks bestie!" could be confirming my read that she's the straight girl leading her on without even realizing it 😂 poor Jillian...)

-Honestly my greatest fear for the ending is not Noel or Caron dying (which would be heartbreaking) but just a kind of "shrug well, thanks for your hard work, see you never again, bye!" kind of parting without ANY emotional impact. (I have been burned by media before can you tell.) I mean, I doubt it (think of how emotional rescuing Jillian was! and boy that is NOT the impression the manga gives AT ALL) but it's still a fear because they haven't had a lot of emotional moments recently, but I think that's more due to the 'shounen' genre than a lack of feeling. So much has been happening!

I'm just devastated that we don't have a release date for the english part two yet. I think this Friday I'll HAVE to try and figure it out or I'll lose it. I can't just stay offline until we know, and avoiding spoilers will be too hard. Agh.

[femmascthing]

rambling abt oneshot concepts

i have the urge to create a niche polycule but . i cannot think !!! the closest i can think of is half qpr half romantic caesar, jillian, caron and noel. (romantic: jillian/noel, caron/noel, caesar/jillian) (queerplatonic: caron/caesar, caron/jillian, noel/caesar) for it to make sense it'd have to be an au bc theres NO way canon caron wants to be less than 5ft away from jillian pre s8. eclipse, sun, moon and star :) another one im thinking of is jillian, rachel and noel. idk i find the concept of it cute. sun, moon and eclipse gfs. maybe entirely queerplatonic theyre all arospec and acespec you cannot tell me otherwise i also just . want to write something centered around caron falling for noel . canon or au im not sure yet but he denies it until he simply *cannot* deny it anymore. also maybe a fic about transman oscar and transfem agender fugo. transfem fugo is in my head and it is not leaving. sorry i have a little thing in my head where all of the terrorists are queer in some way primary headcanons for them: aroace transman oscar (he/him), arospec bisexual transwoman noel (she/he), arospec unlabeled caron (any, preference for he/him), intersex aphroflux (fluctuates between transfeminine, transmasculine, transneutral etc) agender aroace omni-oriented fugo (any, he/it preference), cis aromantic unlabeled toad (she/her), transmasc asexual straight slug (he/they), cis aroace python (he/him) i just really like the idea of the brothers having a 'oh shit youre also queer' moment. 10/10 best siblings in any media i like ever i love them also also. i like the concept of oscar being a sort of older brother figure for noel. he sure does act like an older sibling to everyone (lol) and his bond with noel is cute (reminds me of me and my older brother, maybe that's the main reason why)

[archangelmacaron]

All Hallow's Eve Chapter 9: Caron Side

Here it is, a bonus for my fic readers <3

This is actually the first version I wrote, but I wanted to keep things consistent with Noel and Jillian's POV (only one chapter that it's Jino instead so technically I could have gotten away with it!) It was really fun to write what each person was thinking during the same conversation, especially showing how sometimes, what's heard isn't what was meant. (I had two windows open and everything to be sure dialogue matched hehe)

Thank you as always for your likes/kudos/comments/etc, I repeat myself so often but I really do get so happy to get any! Enjoy your fluff :)

-

Noel didn't say anything the entire way back to the hideout. Caron wanted to believe that she was shivering from the cold as she clung to him with her single arm, but he knew it was something deeper than that.

It seemed like everyone else was asleep when they got in, although it was barely past ten. Somehow Caron felt a little grateful for that—he didn't think Noel would be able to take any light teasing at the moment, and another weird joke about how he was her father and/or lover would probably lead her to push him away when he didn't want to let go.

Caron deposited her on the rickety sofa, taking her pumpkin pail and setting it on the small table alongside the nearly full pillowcase of candy. He pulled the sheet from his shoulders, but hesitated before turning back around. He knew he needed to say something, but he couldn't even begin to imagine what.

He finally decided on something generic. “Noel. Are you all—“

His voice cut off as he looked at her face. There were tears beginning to fall out of her eye. He slowly came and sat down next to her, peering down at her with concern. Her eye met his briefly before turning away. She wiped at it, seeming surprised that it came away from her face wet.

“Ah? I-I apologize, I do not know why I'm—“

He'd moved without really thinking. Her voice stopped as she looked down and realized that his large black hand was gently touching her face, and his thumb carefully swiping the tears, and at that, Noel suddenly burst into tears.

Her witch hat fell to the floor. She took a few gulps of air, making a small confused noise as she found herself held tightly against his chest. He closed his eyes, trying not to squeeze her painfully close.

Her small body shook with deep, painful sounding sobs as she wailed, seeming unable to hold back even a little. “I-I'm—I am—so—“

He realized she was trying to choke out words—an apology—and at that, he also lost his composure.

“C... Caron?” she managed to sniff out between sobs. “What are you...”

“Look, I—I don't know what to do when you cry. But you've been holding back for a while now, haven't you?”

He felt her nod. Her hand was gripping his lapel tightly.

“Well, stop that. Just—let it out, okay?”

She gave a small, choking sound—he realized she'd laughed. “Caron... Di-did you truly just scold me for not crying?”

He wasn't sure what was amusing about that. His hands tightened unintentionally. “Seems so.”

“It's—it's hard to cry, when you're with... but you—you won't always be—” Noel started sobbing again. She was so small, every deep sob moved her entire body. He pulled her closer, trying to support her more as she shuddered against him.

After a long time, the sobbing eased into hiccupping, and eventually he felt her let out a deep, heaving sigh.

She spoke into his chest again. “I'm... I am sorry for that outburst.”

“Don't apologize. You clearly needed it.”

“Mm...” The noise wasn't of agreement or disagreement. She was still slumped against him, and he didn't think she had any intention of moving.

He was fine with that.

“Want to talk about it?”

“I... I might. You won't mind?” Her voice was so quiet.

“I wouldn't have offered if I did,” he replied, hoping his voice was gentle.

“True...” She let out a deep sigh, finally leaning back slightly to look up at his face. He reluctantly let his hands slide off of her. She looked exhausted and extremely fragile, nothing like the strong young woman who was taking on an entire city at his side. “Where do I even begin?”

He looked away from her, trying to keep a calm aura. Seeing her in so much pain was hard, and he didn't know what to do other than to keep that fact to himself. “Seeing Jillian must have been a shock. I was unaware Burrows had a mansion in this area, let alone that she was staying there.”

Noel nodded. “It was a shock. And it—it hurt. To know that she's suffering so much, all because of me...”

“You know it's not all because of you. You know precisely who is to blame for all of this.” It wasn't like her to put all the blame on herself when she knew exactly whose shoulders it truly rested on.

She must be more upset than I thought, if she's forgetting something that basic... Still, I don't want to berate her when she's suffering. What else can I say?

It was a little hard for him to think of something nice to say about the young woman who'd imprisoned him, but he did believe Noel when she said that behavior was very out of character for the young lady, and besides—she mattered to Noel, and that was far more important than his own thoughts on the matter. There was at least one thing he could respect about the young woman, after all. “She's gone about it the wrong way, but she cares about you a lot, Noel. Even to me, that's very clear.”

His eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

Noel sighed. “Still, harming herself... maybe even sacrificing herself... doesn't make me feel cared for. But I-I suppose she's the only one left, so...”

Only one?

She was avoiding his eyes again. “I know I have made allies, Caron, but I—once this is all over, I will be alone, if I'm even still alive.”

He could guess what she was alluding to. The price. He would not discuss it, not even to comfort her.

Was this what you've been worrying about all day? Why? Couldn't you understand...

She wrapped her own arm around herself, holding the stump of her shoulder. She looked so vulnerable, it was almost frightening to him. “I feel like tonight... truly confirmed the end of my childhood, and now I must accept reality as it is. My old life ended with more finality than I've allowed myself to think about; it ended the moment I spoke to Burrows after the contest—no, it ended the moment I let jealousy overtake me when Jillian won.”

“My parents... never even tried to find or contact me, they simply left town once I shamed them. They didn't even try to learn my side. I don't have any other friends or relatives, and so... there is no one but Jillian who misses me, or worries about me—”

“Noel—“

She didn't let him interrupt. “And I know, you are—are simply following our contract to help me, and of course that is fine. I do not demand anything else from you! So once you have my payment, you'll leave me too, because you are a devil, after all, although that's assuming you don't—that the payment isn't...”

Caron suspected that if he were a human, this would be the point where he would have let out the deepest sigh a body could be capable of. He interrupted her more firmly this time. “Noel.”

She was silent a moment, sniffling. “What—what is it?”

She looked back up at him, and he could tell she was once again on the verge of tears. She didn't want to believe what she'd just said. She was hoping he'd contradict her.

He wanted to, but he didn't know if he could, not in a way that she would understand—after all, she hadn't been understanding for a while now.

He rubbed the area between his eyes. “I... I can't say it, you know.”

Her head tilted in a question. Softly, she asked, “Say it?”

This is difficult. I didn't want to talk to her about this. I don't think I can explain it in human terms. I wanted to show her, but that wasn't enough... she isn't getting the message.

“Because I don't know. I don't know what it's called. I don't know if it's the same thing, or if you'd even recognize it. I'm not human. I'm a Great Devil, and I'm not supposed to be—“

“Caron...” she interrupted him, gently touching his hand. He looked down at her. She had a sad smile on her face. “I-I don't want you to... You don't have to force yourself to say something you don't believe because you think it will make me happy.”

“That's not it!”

Why can't I communicate this? I've been trying so hard to show her—why hasn't she felt it? How did I fail at making her feel secure?

She continued, almost as if she hadn't heard him, her voice slowly breaking again as she looked away. “You—you don't have to do anything just to make me happy, and yet... you are... always going above and beyond what I need... and so I—I—”

Then I guess I'll have to be a bit more direct.

The surprised noise was a little louder this time as he pulled her against him again. He loosened his arms just slightly as she made a small gasp. He needed to be a bit more careful.

Caron closed his eyes, resting his face on the top of her head.

“Look, even if I can't say it, you can—you can feel it like this, right?”

She hesitated. He could tell she was confused.

That makes two of us, then. I don't know how to express this in a way she'll understand.

He felt like he was fumbling, trying to find the right words. “I'm not doing this because it's required, or because I want to trick you into cheering up. I don't think this is cheering you up, or doing anything, really... But I'm doing it because I want to. Okay?”

“Oh...” Her fingers tightened around his jacket collar.

He didn't know if she had understood or not. He squeezed her a little tighter.

They remained like that silently for some time before Noel let out a deep sigh, and her small body seemed to melt against him. She was clearly exhausted.

“Should I take you to bed?” he asked gently. She shook her head.

“Let me... stay like this for a while, please.”

“Stay as long as you would like.”

There was another long period of silence. Her voice was a very quiet whisper when she spoke again.

“Caron...?”

“Yes?”

“... thank you. For everything.”

He still didn't know how to respond to that, but he pressed her a little closer as he made a small sound of acknowledgment. “Mm.”

Neither of them spoke again.

Noel's small movements slowly evened out, and he realized that she'd fallen asleep, breathing rhythmically. He closed his eyes, leaning back further into the sofa into a half sitting, half laying position, taking her with him to lay on top of him.

I should take her to the bed, but...

He opened his eyes to look down at her. From this angle, he couldn't really see her face, but he could tell that she was breathing slowly, peacefully. Even after her emotional outburst and the fears and doubts she'd expressed, it was clear that underneath it all, she felt completely safe with him.

The irony of that feeling towards him from the young woman he'd torn to pieces was nearly unbearable.

I don't know what I'm doing anymore when it comes to her... I just... want her to be happy, and I want her to understand that.

He closed his eyes again, allowing one hand to gently rub her back. The other wove through the tips of her hair. The costume was a little scratchy, but her hair was so soft. All of her was soft. He would never have expected to enjoy something like that, but something about the dichotomy of her strength and determination combined with her softness and warmth was just... perfect.

He felt more than heard her sigh and snuggle a little bit closer to him in her sleep. He hoped she wasn't cold. She didn't seem to be shivering, so it was unlikely.

Maybe she's not seeking warmth, she simply... wants to be close to me? But why would...

The unnamable feeling was now overwhelming.

He reached to the table and whipped the sheet he'd been wearing off of it and over them both, tucking it around her shoulders before putting his arms around her again. He pressed his head against hers. She made a soft noise in her sleep. It sounded content.

Caron stared up at the ceiling, thinking over the past few weeks and wondering how on earth things had ended up like this as he let his hand run up and down over Noel's back lightly.

I wasn't lying.

I really don't know what this is called, and I'm not going to confidently declare something I don't know for sure. And it's ludicrous to think that a Great Devil would, and for his contracted human, feel that...

But I think... if I am capable, then I think...

I think I might love her.